The mission of the Black River Falls Area Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in the Black River Falls Area. We work to realize that goal with the support of individuals, families, businesses and organizations that share this commitment. We achieve this by providing a vehicle for donors with diverse community interests; protecting donations through prudent investing and stewardship; serving as a resource and catalyst to accomplish community projects; and expanding our communities’ endowment by encouraging philanthropy.
A defining feature of Black River Falls Area Foundation’s recent grantmaking is its mix of community infrastructure support and named scholarship funding. In the latest grants list, one of the largest awards went to Jc Interfaith Caregivers for a building fund, while another sizable grant supported the Black River Falls School District for replacement pianos and two years of EEF disbursements. That combination points to a funder that backs both physical assets and student enrichment in the Black River Falls area. The foundation’s work reaches across local institutions that shape daily life: schools, libraries, hospitals, parks, fire departments, churches, food support, and youth services. Grants to the City of Black River Falls for the Skyline Golf Course project and Mills Park playground improvements show attention to recreation and public space, while support for Black River Memorial Hospital and Jackson County Humane Society reflects a broader civic role. Scholarship programs are also part of the picture, with multiple named funds administered for graduating seniors, alumni, and students pursuing higher education or career training. Its public mission emphasizes community projects and philanthropy in the Black River Falls Area.
Education appears in both direct school support and scholarships. The foundation gave $115,283 to Brf School District for replacement pianos and two years of EEF disbursements, and it also awarded $8,147 to the Black River Falls School District for coats for kids, a swing for students, and Grace Webb distribution. Health and human services are another thread. Black River Memorial Hospital received $49,118 to help start a nonprofit foundation, and Friends Sharing Food received $8,000. Parks and recreation show up through municipal projects. The City of Black River Falls Mills Park received $64,185 to update and improve playground equipment, while the City of Black River Falls-skyline Golf Course received $68,396 for a bar remodel and Dubs Young memorial deck project. Public safety and animal welfare also appear in the grant list, including support for fire departments in Hixton, Merrillan, Alma Center, and Hatfield, plus a $50,000 grant to Jackson County Humane Society.
$501K
$6.2M
$687K
$758K
Most grants fall between $8K and $34K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$34K
BRAD CHOWN
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Typical grant size sits at a p25 of $8,058, a median of $12,000, and a p75 of $34,000, showing a middle range built around smaller community awards with occasional larger capital or project grants. The foundation gives locally and all recorded recipient grants in the dataset went to Wisconsin organizations. Its structure includes a mix of general community grants, scholarship funds, and designated or donor-directed gifts, with several awards tied to named funds such as Tim & Kay Finch. The recent record also shows recurring support to the same institutions across multiple years, including Black River Falls School District, City of Black River Falls Public Library, and Skyline Golf Course-related projects.
Grant recipients are concentrated entirely in Wisconsin, with 100% of recorded grants going to in-state organizations. Black River Falls appears most often, including awards to the school district, public library, hospital, humane society, and multiple city projects. Other repeat recipient locations include Alma Center, Merrillan, Hixton, and Sparta. The pattern is strongly local, with grants landing in nearby community institutions rather than a broad regional or multi-state footprint.
The foundation supports a broad local mix: schools, libraries, parks, hospitals, fire departments, food programs, churches, and animal welfare groups. Recent grants also include municipal entities such as the City of Black River Falls, the Village of Merrillan, and the Village of Alma Center.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $12,000, with a lower quartile of $8,058 and an upper quartile of $34,000. That indicates many awards are in the low five-figure range, while some project or capital gifts are substantially larger.
Yes. The BRF Area Foundation Grants program accepts unsolicited requests, and the scholarship programs listed for students also accept unsolicited applications. The Foundation-managed scholarship programs include multiple named funds for graduating seniors and alumni.
Its giving is local, and every recorded grant in the dataset went to Wisconsin recipients. Black River Falls is the main recipient city, with additional grants to Alma Center, Merrillan, Hixton, and Sparta.
The recent record includes education, health services, cultural activities, social services, civic projects, youth programs, animal welfare, and park maintenance and recreation. Specific examples include school enrichment, public library support, fire department funding, playground improvements, and humane society support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Black River Falls Area Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open to grant applicants in the Black River Falls Area Foundation's service area; specific criteria are not provided in the scraped content.
Deadline: Applications for grants for 2026 are now open; no specific deadline was visible in the scraped content.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS SKYLINE GOLF COURSE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $223,265 | 2026 | REMAINDER OF BEV MILLIS DONATION AND REMAINDER OF 2 SMALL FUNDS COMBINED, PAY OFF LAWN MOWER LOAN AT CCU FROM BEV MILLIS DONATION |
| JACKSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $100,000 | 2026 | DIRECTED DSBURSEMENT FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $45,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM PETER & JONE HOFFMAN FUND, 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD, DD FROM G. HOMSTAD FOR DINNER CHURCH |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $27,000 | 2026 | PER BOARD - $15,000 FROM COF FOR LIBRARY HVAC, ANNUAL HISTORY ROOM CONTRIBUTION |
| MIGHTY TABLE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $19,800 | 2026 | DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $19,182 | 2026 | LAUFENBERG CONCRETE $9,500; GREEN OASIS $9,682.48 |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $10,245 | 2026 | 2024 EEF GRANT AWARDS DISBURSEMENT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF JACKSON COUNTY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM PETER AND JONE HOFFMAN FUND |
| VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER | ALMA CENTER, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | FOR THE EAST LAWN CEMETERY FOR A NEW LAWN MOWER |
| BLAIR TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT | BLAIR TAYLOR, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD |
| JC INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,600 | 2026 | 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD |
| HIXTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | HIXTON, WI | $6,500 | 2026 | 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD |
| ALMA CENTER COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT (COUNTY LINE FIRE & RESCUE) | ALMA CENTER, WI | $6,300 | 2026 | 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAM AWARD |
| JACKSON COUNTY DEPART HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $5,500 | 2026 | 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD |
| BRF SCHOOL DISTRICT | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $115,283 | 2025 | JAY & KATIE LAABS DONATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF PIANOS AND 2 YEARS EEF DISBURSEMENTS |
| JACKSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $50,000 | 2025 | WHEREVER NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| CITY OF BRF SKYLINE GOLF COURSE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $37,798 | 2025 | DRP, LAWN MOWER, NEW BAR |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $28,123 | 2025 | DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH TO BE USED AT THE LIBRARY'S DISCRETION |
| JC INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $25,000 | 2025 | DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH FOR OPERATING EXPENSES |
| HIXTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | HIXTON, WI | $16,560 | 2025 | WHERE NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY HIXTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| MERRILLAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT & FIRST RESPONDERS | MERRILLAN, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | WHERE NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY MERRILLAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER | ALMA CENTER, WI | $12,400 | 2025 | DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH FOR NEW OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT |
| ALMA CENTER COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT | ALMA CENTER, WI | $12,166 | 2025 | AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FIRE DISTRICT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF MONROE COUNTY | SPARTA, WI | $12,000 | 2025 | START UP OFFICE COSTS FOR JACKSON COUNTY |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS - GENERAL FUND | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $10,573 | 2025 | DIRECT DISBURSEMENT TO FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE IMO ANDY WHALEY |
| HATFIELD FIRE AND RESCUE | MERRILLAN, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED AS DETERMINED BY HATFIELD FIRE & RESCUE DD FROM TIM AND KAY FINCH |
| ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,000 | 2025 | MATCHING FUNDS FOR DONATIONS RAISED |
| THE MIGHTY TABLE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPLIES NEEDED TO COOK AND DELIVER MEALS ONCE PER WEEK TO FOSTER FAMILIES AND HOMELESS FAMILIES |
| BLACK RIVER AREA CHILD CARE SERVICES | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $5,960 | 2025 | REMODEL BOYS BATHROOM |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS-SKYLINE GOLF COURSE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $68,396 | 2024 | BAR REMODEL AND DUBS YOUNG MEMORIAL DECK PROJECT |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS MILLS PARK | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $64,185 | 2024 | UPDATE AND IMPROVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| BLACK RIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $49,118 | 2024 | HELP HOSPITAL START A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION |
| VILLAGE OF MERRILLAN | MERRILLAN, WI | $40,204 | 2024 | PARK IMPROVMENTS & CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $35,000 | 2024 | DIRECT DISBURSE FOR PETER & JOHN HOFFMAN |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $12,000 | 2024 | DIRECT DISBURSE FROM T&K FINCH AND ANNUAL DISBURSE FOR HISTORY ROOM |
| SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE | OSSEO, WI | $10,000 | 2024 | MATERIALS TO BUILD BEDS FOR NEEDY CHILDREN |
| VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER-FIRE DEPARTMENT | ALMA CENTER, WI | $9,800 | 2024 | GRANT FROM ACHM ACF AND DD FROM FINCH FAMILY FOR ANY NEEDS |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION TRAIL | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,606 | 2024 | CONDITION STUDY OF TRAIL |
| JC INTERFAITH CAREFIVERS | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,000 | 2024 | BRF FOUNDATION DONATION TO BUILDING FUND |
| JACKSON COUNTY CHILD CARE NETWORK | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $7,837 | 2024 | LAUNCH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN WITH GALA |
| JC INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $157,500 | 2023 | BRF AREA FOUNDATION DONATITON TO BUILDUING FUND |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS - SKYLINE GOLF COURSE | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $60,952 | 2023 | BAR REMODEL AND DUBS YOUNG MEMORIAL DECK PROJECT |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $33,000 | 2023 | DIRECT DISBURSE FOR PETER & JONE HOFFMAN |
| CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $22,902 | 2023 | DIRECT DISBURSE FROM T&K FINCH AND ANNUAL DISBURSE FOR HISTORY ROOM |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF JACKSON COUNTY | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $13,000 | 2023 | GRANT TO PURCHASE NEW VAN AND DIRECTED DONATION FROM CARL HERRMANN AND JOAN HIGGINS |
| VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER - FIRE DEPARTMENT | ALMA CENTER, WI | $11,600 | 2023 | 2022 GRANT FROM ACACF AND DD DONATION FROM T&K FINCH |
| BLACK RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,147 | 2023 | DONATIONS FOR COATS FOR KIDS, SWING FOR STUDENTS, AND GRACE WEBB DISTRIBUTION |
| VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER | ALMA CENTER, WI | $8,115 | 2023 | PURCHASES FOR AC COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT FROM SCHROEDER FUNDS |
| FRIENDS SHARING FOOD | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $8,000 | 2023 | TIM AND KAY FINCH DONATION |
| BRF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH | BLACK RIVER FALLS, WI | $7,727 | 2023 | DONATIONS FOR THE MIGHTY TABLE OUTREACH PROGRAM, FOSTER CLOSET, AND WOMEN'S SEWING CIRCLE |
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS SKYLINE GOLF COURSE
$223,265REMAINDER OF BEV MILLIS DONATION AND REMAINDER OF 2 SMALL FUNDS COMBINED, PAY OFF LAWN MOWER LOAN AT CCU FROM BEV MILLIS DONATION
JACKSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$100,000DIRECTED DSBURSEMENT FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$45,000ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM PETER & JONE HOFFMAN FUND, 2025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD, DD FROM G. HOMSTAD FOR DINNER CHURCH
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$27,000PER BOARD - $15,000 FROM COF FOR LIBRARY HVAC, ANNUAL HISTORY ROOM CONTRIBUTION
MIGHTY TABLE
$19,800DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS
LAUFENBERG CONCRETE $9,500; GREEN OASIS $9,682.48
BLACK RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,2452024 EEF GRANT AWARDS DISBURSEMENT
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION FROM PETER AND JONE HOFFMAN FUND
VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER
$10,000FOR THE EAST LAWN CEMETERY FOR A NEW LAWN MOWER
BLAIR TAYLOR SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,0002025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD
JC INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS
$8,6002025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD
HIXTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$6,5002025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD
ALMA CENTER COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT (COUNTY LINE FIRE & RESCUE)
$6,3002025 FOUNDATION GRANT PROGRAM AWARD
JACKSON COUNTY DEPART HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
$5,5002025 FOUNDATION GRANT AWARD
BRF SCHOOL DISTRICT
$115,283JAY & KATIE LAABS DONATION FOR REPLACEMENT OF PIANOS AND 2 YEARS EEF DISBURSEMENTS
JACKSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000WHEREVER NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY THE HUMANE SOCIETY DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
CITY OF BRF SKYLINE GOLF COURSE
$37,798DRP, LAWN MOWER, NEW BAR
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$28,123DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH TO BE USED AT THE LIBRARY'S DISCRETION
JC INTERFAITH VOLUNTEER CAREGIVERS
$25,000DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH FOR OPERATING EXPENSES
HIXTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$16,560WHERE NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY HIXTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
MERRILLAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT & FIRST RESPONDERS
$15,000WHERE NEEDED MOST AS DETERMINED BY MERRILLAN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER
$12,400DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH FOR NEW OUTDOOR BASKETBALL COURT
ALMA CENTER COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT
$12,166AT THE DISCRETION OF THE FIRE DISTRICT DD FROM TIM & KAY FINCH
FAMILY PROMISE OF MONROE COUNTY
$12,000START UP OFFICE COSTS FOR JACKSON COUNTY
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS - GENERAL FUND
$10,573DIRECT DISBURSEMENT TO FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE IMO ANDY WHALEY
HATFIELD FIRE AND RESCUE
$10,000WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED AS DETERMINED BY HATFIELD FIRE & RESCUE DD FROM TIM AND KAY FINCH
ST JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH
$8,000MATCHING FUNDS FOR DONATIONS RAISED
THE MIGHTY TABLE
$7,500SUPPLIES NEEDED TO COOK AND DELIVER MEALS ONCE PER WEEK TO FOSTER FAMILIES AND HOMELESS FAMILIES
BLACK RIVER AREA CHILD CARE SERVICES
$5,960REMODEL BOYS BATHROOM
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS-SKYLINE GOLF COURSE
$68,396BAR REMODEL AND DUBS YOUNG MEMORIAL DECK PROJECT
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS MILLS PARK
$64,185UPDATE AND IMPROVE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
BLACK RIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
$49,118HELP HOSPITAL START A NON-PROFIT FOUNDATION
VILLAGE OF MERRILLAN
$40,204PARK IMPROVMENTS & CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$35,000DIRECT DISBURSE FOR PETER & JOHN HOFFMAN
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$12,000DIRECT DISBURSE FROM T&K FINCH AND ANNUAL DISBURSE FOR HISTORY ROOM
VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER-FIRE DEPARTMENT
$9,800GRANT FROM ACHM ACF AND DD FROM FINCH FAMILY FOR ANY NEEDS
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS FOUNDATION TRAIL
$8,606CONDITION STUDY OF TRAIL
JC INTERFAITH CAREFIVERS
$8,000BRF FOUNDATION DONATION TO BUILDING FUND
JACKSON COUNTY CHILD CARE NETWORK
$7,837LAUNCH COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN WITH GALA
JC INTERFAITH CAREGIVERS
$157,500BRF AREA FOUNDATION DONATITON TO BUILDUING FUND
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS - SKYLINE GOLF COURSE
$60,952BAR REMODEL AND DUBS YOUNG MEMORIAL DECK PROJECT
BLACK RIVER FALLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$33,000DIRECT DISBURSE FOR PETER & JONE HOFFMAN
CITY OF BLACK RIVER FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$22,902DIRECT DISBURSE FROM T&K FINCH AND ANNUAL DISBURSE FOR HISTORY ROOM
GRANT TO PURCHASE NEW VAN AND DIRECTED DONATION FROM CARL HERRMANN AND JOAN HIGGINS
VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER - FIRE DEPARTMENT
$11,6002022 GRANT FROM ACACF AND DD DONATION FROM T&K FINCH
BLACK RIVER FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
$8,147DONATIONS FOR COATS FOR KIDS, SWING FOR STUDENTS, AND GRACE WEBB DISTRIBUTION
VILLAGE OF ALMA CENTER
$8,115PURCHASES FOR AC COMMUNITY FIRE DISTRICT FROM SCHROEDER FUNDS
FRIENDS SHARING FOOD
$8,000TIM AND KAY FINCH DONATION
BRF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$7,727DONATIONS FOR THE MIGHTY TABLE OUTREACH PROGRAM, FOSTER CLOSET, AND WOMEN'S SEWING CIRCLE